Interpublic's Universal McCann has hired Barbara Pelham as executive vice president and global managing partner for the shop's MasterCard account, one of the agency's key clients. MasterCard consolidated its media assignment -- with estimated spending of more than $500 million worldwide -- with UM late last year. The move ended a decade-long relationship with GSD&M, the Omnicom agency, whose media arm Idea City had handled media duties on the U.S. portion of the account. UM already handled media chores outside the U.S. Previously, Pelham was executive group director at OgilvyOne, part of the WPP Group. Earlier, she ran the Bayer Healthcare account at sibling agency Ogilvy Healthworld and led a consolidation of other portions of the client's account under WPP. In her new role at UM, Pelham will oversee MasterCard's media efforts and will be responsible for collaborating with the other IPG shops that handle portions of the client's business, including lead creative agency McCann Erickson, digital shop RG/A, public relations firm Cohn & Wolfe, and Octagon, which handles sports marketing and partnerships for MasterCard. Pelham replaces Matt Kasindorf, who had been working overtime handling MasterCard and several other major global accounts. Now he will be able to devote additional time to others, including Brown-Forman, ExxonMobil and Dyson. In an internal memo, Jacki Kelley, worldwide CEO of UM, told staffers: "Barbara's experience is exciting not only for UM but for IPG as she has managed complex global clients across WPP's network. I am confident there is much we will learn from Barbara and, together with our IPG counterparts, can create a new approach to collaboration." Pelham, who reports to Kelley, starts her new job in September.
Havas Sports & Entertainment, a unit of the Paris-based Havas, is developing the sports part of its offering in the U.S. with the hiring of Mark Rothenberg. He will take the new post of senior vice president for sports. Until now, HS&E's emphasis in the U.S. has been on the entertainment side through a Miami-based office headed by Manuel Reis, and Cake, HS&E's social-media arm. Now, Rothenberg, based in New York, is tasked with developing the unit's sports expertise. He will work with several U.S.-based Havas agencies, including media shop MPG, Havas Digital, and creative shops Euro RSCG and Arnold. Rothenberg will report to Maria Luisa Francoli, CEO of Havas Media North America and MPG Global, and Lucien Boyer, president and CEO of Havas Sports & Entertainment. Given the appeal of sports to huge numbers of consumers, marketers are spending big-time to get their messages out to fans. According to the Sports Business Journal, the top 50 companies in the space spent $6.6 billion on sports marketing last year, up 27%. Because marketers are interested in the segment, many agencies are honing their expertise in sports marketing as well. Earlier this month, GroupM's MediaCom unveiled a new unit, MediaCom Sport, and hired IMG veteran Marcus John to run it. Other agencies are also in the space. At the beginning of the year, Horizon Media formed a new sports marketing and events division, and Interpublic has operated Octagon, the sports and entertainment marketing unit, for years. Most recently, Rothenberg, a 25-year marketing veteran, was with Two River Consulting, a marketing consultancy focused on strategic planning and integrated marketing communications. Prior to that, he was executive vice president of marketing for Cox Enterprises, which purchased the agency he founded, Lifestyle Marketing Group, a sports and event marketing specialist. Earlier, he helped establish Saatchi & Saatchi's sports-marketing network, and has worked with blue-chip clients such as General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Gillette and others. "As our clients continue to look to us to provide seamless media solutions across channels, our focus on integrated sports and entertainment solutions is a natural fit," stated Francoli.
Out-of-home advertising revenue grew faster than the economy, as well as many other media, in the second quarter, rising 4.5% to just over $1.9 billion, according to the latest figures from the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. The increase is due, in part, to the expansion of digital out-of-home advertising, but OAAA executives also credited the positive impact of new OOH advertising audience measurement, in the form of the Traffic Audit Bureau's "Eyes On" ratings. These improvements are helping attract new advertisers to the medium, said OAAA president,CEO Nancy Fletcher, with 12,000 new advertisers in the second quarter compared to the first. In terms of categories, a separate earnings announcement from Clear Channel Outdoor, the nation's largest outdoor advertising company, indicated strong growth in banking and financial services, telecommunications, health care and business services. Competitor Lamar Advertising Co. pointed to strong spending increases in the automotive category, continuing into the third quarter, offset somewhat by decreases in hospitality and real estate. As noted, out-of-home is faring better than many other media. According to the Publishers Information Bureau, total ad spend in consumer magazines edged up 1.6% in the second quarter, while total radio advertising revenues edged up 1%, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau. Most big newspaper publishers reported results that were flat or slightly down. Outdoor's strong performance is partly due to rapid expansion of DOOH displays, with Clear Channel Outdoor alone installing 96 new digital billboards in the first half of the year, bringing the company's total to 711. Lamar's second-quarter results show that digital expansion was by far the largest area of capital expenditure for that company, and the total number of digital bulletins owned by Lamar increased to 694.
Twentieth Television -- the News Corp. syndication arm, which distributes shows such as "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader," "Burn Notice" and "Glee" -- has named Joe Oulvey to head ad sales. He has been leading national spot sales for the Fox stations group. Oulvey takes over for Judy Kenny and will report to Twentieth president Greg Meidel starting next month. Kenny replaced industry veteran Bob Cesa. Twentieth also handles sales for Debmar-Mercury and Carsey-Warner. The Fox stations group covers 27 stations carrying Fox and MyNetworkTV, affecting 37% of the country. Oulvey had held various positions there over the past decade after joining from the CBS stations group. Oulvey stated that his efforts at Twentieth will include brand integrations and digital extensions. Twentieth has been working with SeamBI, a company that can virtually insert timely brand integrations and logos into off-net drama and comedy episodes that ran years ago. Twentieth should benefit from "Glee" episodes launching in broadcast syndication and on Oxygen in 2013. Also that year, "Modern Family" goes into broadcast syndication and on cable on USA. With corporate synergy, both shows will air on Fox-owned stations in top markets. Twentieth is also developing a first-run daytime show with Ricki Lake that could launch in 2012.
A year ago, as Jeannie Scalzo spoke with Taco Bell executives at the pre-show for the "MTV Video Music Awards," the seeds of a partnership were planted. The Taco Bell team wanted to hatch something involving its meal boxes. Last month, that goal came to fruition. Leading up to Sunday's event, the chain has been running a "Big Box Remixed" promotion, where a QR code on the boxes (and cups) allows customers to access exclusive content via smartphones. There are clips of artists performing, updates hosted by MTV News' Sway and other video related to the awards show. From MTV's perspective, it doesn't hurt that the clips also look to drive tune-in to the VMAs and Friday's lead-up concert, where Taco Bell is a top-line sponsor. During the VMA broadcast itself, the chain is sponsoring "house artist" moments, where four times the cameras will capture R&B artist Jessie J performing. Taco Bell is just one of the VMA sponsors using some form of in-show integration, which has helped MTV increase revenue for the event by a double-digit percentage. Apple, State Farm and Kia are among the marketers looking to do more than run traditional spots for the first time. So are Bing, Dove, Red Bull and Sharpie. Looking ahead, Scalzo, senior vice president, integrated marketing at MTV, said multiplatform deals for the 2012 VMAs were inked during the recently completed upfront, even as the particulars need to be developed. Among MTV's core 12-to-34 demo, VMA ratings last year surged 33% with an average of 7.9 million, equaling the network's highest-rated broadcast in the demo since 2002. After a year off, Beyoncé returns as a performer this year, which might drive ratings up again. On Sunday, Apple takes over a coveted position held by Rhapsody as the digital download sponsor. During performances by Adele and Lil Wayne, it will run 10-second graphics pointing viewers to iTunes for a download. Apple has run ads in the VMAs before, but Rhapsody's deal prevented it from using creative with any music link. For his part, Lil Wayne will look to capitalize on the exposure by releasing his latest album digitally at midnight after the show wraps. State Farm, which has been involved with the "MTV Movie Awards," will sponsor a performance by band Cobra Starship during Sunday's pre-show. It's also allowing two fans in attendance to move up to premium seats. Kia is sponsoring an interstitial with shots from a rooftop pool party featuring "party band" LMFAO. It is also debuting new creative during the show with LMFAO music. Also during the pre-show, the set designer, Scott Story, will be seen using a Sharpie. Bing search bar will appear onscreen during a segment with artist Swizz Beatz. Verizon is returning as the sponsor of the Twitter Tracker, which appears on "All Access Live," the MTV.com offering complementing the show. The Tracker aggregates conversations taking place during the show. A new feature this year allows MTV.com visitors to follow a map showing where particular artists are sitting in the auditorium, adding another element when following their tweets. Will Kanye West have a different reaction to Lady Gaga's performance than Pitbull depending on where each is seated? "You'll get to see how celebs in the room are reacting to the moment," said Colin Helms, vice president of MTV's digital operations. "All Access Live" is available on iPhones and iPads, on Android devices and via MTV's new WatchWith app, which augments online viewing through aggregation of Facebook and Twitter activity during a show. Mindful of the tendency of millennials to use a laptop or mobile device while watching, Helms said MTV has taken steps to avoid competition between the on-air and online experiences. "We're very sensitive to that," he said. "We don't want that to happen. We're trying to make the stuff simple enough to use that you don't have to be very head-down to do it." For example, "All Access Live" offers behind-the-scenes streams from dressing rooms and other backstage areas. In the past, MTV has produced the feeds; this year, its seven cameras will run live and uncut. Viewers can toggle between them with the likes of Bing, Taco Bell, Dove and State Farm extending their sponsorships there.
This summer, TV ratings results seem like a repeat of a year ago -- but with one change for NBC. Fox is leading among key 18-49 prime-time viewers with an average Nielsen 2.29 million number -- but it's down 12% from a year ago. Close on its heels, ABC is next at 2.27 million, down 9% versus a year ago. NBC, getting a little end-of-the-season draft of "The Voice" episodes spilling into the summer period, has been very competitive with 2.19 million 18-49 viewers, up 2%. It is the only English-language network to rise versus a year ago. CBS lands last with 1.7 million 18-49 viewers. Overall, the four English-language networks are down 6% among 18-49 viewers to a collective 7.79 million 18-49 viewers, while advertising-supported cable is 3% higher at an overall 23.6 million. Looking at the top 10 cable networks bears the same result -- up 3%. This comes to a collective 8.25 million -- about one-third of all 18-49 rating points for cable. Turner Research says all these results come from Nielsen data on live-plus-seven-day results May 30 through August 7, blended with live-plus-same-day data August 8-21. Looking at all TV viewers, CBS is still on top at 4.75 million. NBC is at 4.11 million; followed by ABC at 4.02 million and Fox at 3.23 million. USA Network, the top cable network in all viewer categories, actually beats Fox in overall average prime-time viewers, with 3.61 million, coming in at fourth place for any TV network. USA Network earned 1.36 million 18-49 viewers -- the top cable network in this category -- with second place going to the surging History, now at 1.0 million. MTV's "Jersey Shore" gets the honors for the top cable show in key categories. It is averaging 8.6 million overall viewers during the period and 5.8 million 18-49 viewers. In total viewers, TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles" is in second place with 8.1 million; TNT's "The Closer" is at 7.9 million; History's "Pawn Stars" is at 7.3 million; and USA "Burn Notice" and "Royal Pains" are each at 6.7 million. Among 18-49 viewers, History's "Pawn Stars" is at 3.6 million; Comedy Central's "Tosh.O" is sat 3.3 million; A&E's "Storage Wars" at 3.0 million; and MTV's "Teen Mom" at 2.9 million. Turner notes that DVR penetration among all U.S. TV viewers is now at 44.2% in July 2011, and among U.S. TV homes, it totals 41.6%.
ABC has refused to air a commercial for The Weinstein Company's new theatrical film "Our Idiot Brother," reportedly for its suggestions of drug usage and urination. The film is an ensemble comedy about three sisters and an incurably optimistic "slacker" sibling. The spot -- which can be seen on YouTube -- shows Paul Rudd's character selling some illegal drugs to a cop, admitting to his parole officer that he just got high, and seemingly urinating off a trampoline. In a press release, Weinstein didn't say exactly why the movie commercial for the comedy was rejected, but noted the spot had already aired on other broadcast and cable networks. The timing is key for the movie: A week before a film's opening -- and including crucial Thursdays -- are important marketing periods for films. "Brother" opens on Friday, August 26. ABC stated: "The ABC Television Network approved and accepted multiple spots for "Our Idiot Brother" and has aired spots for this film. The network did not accept spots that violated our long-established Ad Guidelines." The network did not go into detail, however, according to Deadline.com, Weinstein Co. received these instructions from ABC: "Please remove the visual of the exchange of what is assumed to be drugs. Please remove the visual of the character using a juice box to depict urination. Please remove the references to getting high and smoking." In response, The Weinstein Company said it had cut a new "red" band trailer for the film -- supposedly an even raunchier effort. Weinstein co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said: "We'd like to dedicate our new red band trailer for 'Our Idiot Brother' to censorship everywhere. Enjoy!!"
E-Commerce Arrives At DeparturesDepartures, the high-end lifestyle magazine from American Express Publishing, is jumping into the e-commerce arena with its new "eExclusives" campaign, which lets readers buy products from big retail and brand advertisers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Akris and Brunello Cucinelli. Published seven times a year for AmEx Platinum Card and Centurion members, Departures is taking a rather different tack to e-commerce from most other publishers, which generally have offered readers discounts on popular products through partnerships and acquisitions with sites and services like Gilt.com, StyleFeeder, ShopStyle and Pixazza. Departures' eExclusives, by contrast, is playing up the premium, exclusive nature of the publication and its advertisers by making luxury items available for only a limited time and at full price. One must hold one of the above-mentioned AmEx cards to even access the e-commerce site. The products offered through eExclusives are indeed a cut above even the high-end strappy shoes available on other e-commerce platforms. According to Adweek, some of the first products to be offered via eExclusives include a "his-and-hers $1,990 handbag" and "a $1,645 iPad case made of horsehair from Akris." What's the appeal of a horsehair iPad case? Well, if you have to ask, you'll probably never know, dahling. While discount offers might be the right way to lure most consumers into e-commerce transactions during a recession, the Departures' approach makes sense for its well-heeled readers, who enjoy an average annual income of $476,000 and a total net worth, including principal residence, of $2.8 million. In short, these folks may have heard about the recession, but probably aren't feeling it too much. Maxim Moves Digital Edition to Mag+ Mag+, the new digital magazine app platform created by Moving Media (the digital publishing company launched by Bonnier earlier this year), has attracted its first major non-Bonnier client. Maxim, the iconic laddie, young men's lifestyle magazine, has switched its digital app back-end support from Bite Sized Candy to Mag+, beginning with the re-launch of its iPad app this week. (Erroneous reports suggested the Maxim iPad app was gone for good.) Although most of Mag+'s non-Bonnier magazine clients are still smaller European publications, it has snagged some big catalogue clients, including Ikea. Within the Bonnier fold, Mag+ has created apps for Popular Science and Popular Photography. Bonnier has also launched a new division, Boom Publishing, to create new digital publications independent of exiting print titles. New York Observer Launches Scooter Anyone trying to raise kids in New York City deserves a medal, but for now they will have to settle for a magazine: New York Observer Scooter, a new title from The Observer Media Group targeting New York City parents, which is set to debut August 31, with a biannual publication schedule. The magazine will be edited by Peter Feld, who previously served as online editor for Cookie, the Conde Nast parenting publication which folded in October 2009. Chicago Home + Garden Unveils Interior Design BookChicago Home + Garden and Agate Surrey have unveiled a new book for design enthusiasts who want to embrace the Windy City's unique style, titled Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors. Featuring rooms "modern and traditional, minimalist and ornate, pristine and quirky," editor Jan Parr says the book "puts to rest once and for all the notion that Chicago's design sensibility is predictably conservative and safe." The first half features homes in their entirety, while the second focuses on specific rooms, including dining, living, bedrooms, kitchens, baths, dens, foyers and children's rooms.